Definitions

rainbow

[reyn-boh] / ˈreɪnˌboʊ /

NOUN

color spectrum

Synonyms

STRONG

arc bow crescent curve prism variegation

WEAK

band of color

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for rainbow?

Literally speaking, a rainbow is an arc (bow) of colors that appears in the sky due to rays of sunshine being reflected and refracted by raindrops (or other water droplets). The word rainbow is also commonly used to refer to any artistic representations of this. Technically speaking, a rainbow can be classified as a primary rainbow or a secondary rainbow. Together, they can form a double rainbow. Triple rainbows are very rare. Rainbow is also commonly used as an adjective that means containing all or many colors of the spectrum (the main ones being red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—aka roygbiv). Synonyms of this sense include multicolored (or multicolor), kaleidoscopic, and prismatic. Kaleidoscopic suggests something full of bright colors in a way that’s reminiscent of the images seen when looking through a kaleidoscope. Prismatic is a reference to the rainbow-colored when light shines through a prism. Extended from this is a more general sense of rainbow that’s applied to anything featuring a diverse collection of people or things, as in rainbow coalition. Rainbows and rainbow flags are popularly used as symbols of the LGBTQ+ community.

What is another way to say sunshine and rainbows?

Sunshine and rainbows is an idiom used to refer a situation that’s completely positive in all aspects. The phrase is most often used in negative constructions to imply that such situations are rare or impossible (and that it’s naive to think that they’re not), as in Marriage is not all sunshine and rainbows. Phrases used to mean the same thing often use some of the same terms in varying combinations: sunshine and lollipops, unicorns and rainbows, sunshine and puppies. The phrase peaches and cream can mean the same thing, but it’s more often used in positive constructions. The phrase sweetness and light is somewhat similar, but it’s usually applied to people, as opposed to situations. Singles words that can mean the same thing are rosy and rose-colored.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

rainbow rainbows

For months, she churned up a rainbow sheen of chemicals in local creeks to show they were still present.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

A microcomb generates an extremely precise set of light frequencies arranged somewhat like the colors in a rainbow, although the light itself is invisible to the human eye.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

He is also expected to try to defend his Road World Championships rainbow jersey in Montreal, Canada, just a week after La Vuelta finishes.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

I like to follow through on my plans, so we headed to the Citadel outlets where we bought him rainbow sandals, dress shirts and black jeans.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

When she puts down her things, I can see that her shirt says “Write on” in rainbow colors.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

“This situation is clearly not all sunshine and rainbows, it’s cold and foggy.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

There are groups of friends, families and even dogs - it's like a big summer fête, with rainbows and glitter.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

If the fish remain in freshwater, they’ll be considered rainbows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

"This is not going to be the festival of rainbows and kisses as it was in the past," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025

There are a hundred kinds of grass out there, grasses as yellow as lemon and as dark as indigo, blue grasses and orange grasses and grasses like rainbows.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing rainbow

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